UN Envoy Discusses Kosovo With Belgrade Leaders

22 August 2005 (RFE/RL) -- A UN envoy met leaders in Belgrade today to discuss conditions in Kosovo before he issues a progress report that could lead to negotiations on the province's future status.

Kai Eide, a Norwegian diplomat, was appointed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in June to review Kosovo's progress in meeting UN-set targets on democracy and civil rights for the province's minority Serbs.

In Belgrade, Eide met with Serbia and Montenegro's foreign minister, Vuk Draskovic. He will also hold talks with Serbia's President Boris Tadic later today.

This is Eide's third visit to the region since his appointment. Before coming to Belgrade, he met ethnic Albanian and Serb officials in Kosovo.

Eide is expected to submit his recommendations on Kosovo by September. If the review is positive, it would be the first step toward possible negotiations on the disputed province's final status.